The bill at a glance

Comprising a total of 34 articles, the bill can be broken up in a few main themes:

1. Legitimacy: The draft explicitly defines protests considered as “legitimate” those that do not affect essential public services and do not completely obstruct traffic. Furthermore, the protesters must not violate any of the clauses of the Penal Code.

2. Notification: Protests will be approved if authorities are informed at least 48 hours ahead of the protest of the location, anticipated duration, the objective of the protest, and the details of a legal representative for protesters.

3. Use of force: Security services are forbidden from carrying firearms near the protests, must be clearly identified by uniforms, and may not fire non-lethal weapons directly at protesters.

4. Coverage: The bill also commits the state to guaranteeing that the claims of “legitimate” protests receive adequate coverage in radio, television, print and digital media.

5. Implementing agencies: The Security Ministry is named as the main agency responsible for implementing the measures.